When you are troubled, you are wise to make use of the scientific method. How? It’s really quite easy:
- Formulate a question.
- Make a falsifiable hypotheses.
- Predict an outcome.
- Test your hypothesis.
- Analyze the results.
It’s quite easy, though it does require a determination and objectivity that fly in the face of the tightly wound and well-guarded emotional rationalizations that entomb a troubled heart or mind. You’ll never get to the bottom of any matter if you don’t take the time to break it down into its component parts, analyze them, dislodge yourself from that which is keeping you from your full expression and move onward and upward.
If you are content to wallow in misery, then please save those of us who are not from the spectacle of making half-hearted attempts at overcoming your limitations. If you are concerned to grow and develop, then put your lab coat on and get to work!
Gregory Hake 
Even when in the midst of a tough situation, being able to test different solutions can give you a path out, eventually. While it might not mean you can avoid all the fallout, having a plan can make it so that there is no extra angst that can come from feeling lost.
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I always appreciate any chance I have to improve my ability to learn how to think better. Thank you for breaking it down so simply.
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Practical method. I’ve used the “Ben Franklin”; list the pros then the cons. It works for decision making and is also valuable when analyzing a situation. I guess the part that takes maturity is breakig the habit of being distracted by “tightly wound and well-guarded emotional rationalizations”. That’s a relief all around!
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Well put. All the components of the scientific method are invaluable to each other and used in experimental science to permit conclusions derived from observing associations. This is a very critical part of the process of analysis, where correlation does not imply causation, but in observing correlations, you can then set up situations where you can test what you glean from the associations and see if it holds water.
An important piece of the critical thinking cascade is to make sure your hypothesis is falsifiable, to help reduce your own bias from the conscious or subconscious desire to be proven right. You must be able to admit in your preconclusions that the result could prove your hypothesis wrong. There are so many errors in science committed this way, and far more in our day to day lives. It’s good to look at life through a lens of sharp thinking, for many an error and trouble can be avoided as you figure out the various complex circumstances of your life – for you can better discern what is really happening, what the news articles really are saying, what the real issues are at home or at work, etc. That’s a big part of what gives what I call HD livin’ – high definition!
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